Raised a Heathen

Main Entry: 1god
Pronunciation: 'gäd also 'god
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German got god
Date: before 12th century
1 capitalized : the supreme or ultimate reality: as a : the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshiped as creator and ruler of the universe b Christian Science : the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit : infinite Mind
2 : a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship; specifically : one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality
3 : a person or thing of supreme value
4 : a powerful ruler

I was raised a heathen. My parents both came from Christian backgrounds, but were not at all religious when they reached the age of reason before my birth. Although I have had to deal with the arrogance of and rejection by Christians I never succumbed to their faith. About 20-25 years ago when I was looking for a mate I lived in an area where most everybody was Christian. I studied Christianity and Judaism because I figured that I may have to settle for a Christian mate, but I saw them as screwed up although I or didn't really analyze them as sufficiently as I should have. I eventually found a mate that was a Christian, but it was more difficult in those days.

I post the definition of "god" to propose that an atheist is not actually,

Main Entry: athe·ist
Pronunciation: 'A-thE-ist
Function: noun
Date: 1571
: one who denies the existence of God

From what I have seen reading atheist opinion they are great believers in "reality".

If you look at the premise of the #1 definition of "god" above it says,

"God is the supreme or ultimate reality."

It is after the premise is stated that we get into religion based aspects of "god/reality" that are rejected by atheists, myself and other rational thinkers.

Perhaps c should be added to #1 stating,

god: the supreme or ultimate reality, c. of whose aspects are yet to be totally defined.

The premise of the definition god = reality seems agreeable to most. Of course, there are those that probably do not view our existence as reality.

Anyway, It's food for thought.

I think definiton #4 could be in reference to President G.W. (God Willing) Bush.

When I look at the religious right in politics today trying to destroy the ideals of our founding fathers, establish Christianity as our preferential and national religion and push us around with their organized political clout I am deeply disturbed.

Are or can atheists, rationalists, deists, pantheists, agnostics, and the like organize to protect ourselves from the organized religious right already entrenched in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of our government? If we do not organize politically, politicians will overlook our opinions and continue to cater to others who have organized a political body. Any suggestions?

Guy DeBryan